..unless something drastic is done.

I’ve been using linux distributions for 11 years now and I saw a lot of changes. Perhaps too many. From solid rock server system developers took different approach to make it more user friendly. And I agree with that, but that famous Unix simplicity has disappeared somewhere along the road. Linux systems became more user friendly, thus more available for ordinary users.

However, developers aiming at wider user base introduced new challenges for old school sysadmins and geeks. These days I hardly see Windows or Mac system crash, Linux starts to remind me of Windows 98. I don’t get blue screens but hard crashes occur quite often. Probably the problems behind it are faulty device drivers. Linux community did a fantastic job making that system work on various hardware configurations, but it’s still far from perfect.

However, it’s all community driven. Linux needs powerful company behind it. Linux needs someone that can influence hardware and software makers to release their products with Linux support. Linux needs company that can provide enterprise class support. And Linux needs a company with worldwide marketing capabilities. Without it it will never shine on desktops. It needs a push in corporate market. And without powerful company support it doesn’t stand a chance.